Columbus first baseman/outfielder Ralphy Velazquez has been named the International League Player of the Week for the period of August 18-23. He is the third member of the Clippers to be honored this season with a League weekly award, joining infielder Milan Tolentino (April 13-19) and catcher Cooper Ingle (July 28-August 2).

Velazquez, 21, stayed red-hot this week, torching the St. Paul Saints with a six homers, best in the country at the Triple-A level, 12 RBI, 28 total bases and 1.273 slugging percentage. He was also near the top of the Triple-A leaderboard with a .455 batting average (7th), ten hits (6th), six extra-base hits (2nd), and eight runs scored (4th).

Over his last 17 games played, Velazquez is hitting .379 with 14 home runs, 26 RBI, and 21 runs scored. For the 2026 season, including his time in Double-A before being promoted to the Clippers in mid-May, Velazquez is hitting .293 with 27 home runs and 80 RBI. 

Velazquez, who hails from Huntington Beach, California, is the highest ranked prospect currently playing in the Guardians minor league system according to MLB.com. Already a two-time veteran of the MLB All-Star Futures Game, Velazquez was originally selected by Cleveland in the 1st round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Huntington Beach High School. He has yet to make his Major League debut.